The Dock and the Scaffold eBook

DECLARATION OF MICHAEL LARKIN.

Men of the World—­I, as a dying man, going
before my God, solemnly declare I have never fired
a shot in all my life, much less the day the attack
was made on the van, nor did I ever put a hand to the
van. The world will remember the widow’s
son’s life that was sworn away, by which he
leaves a wife and four children to mourn a loss.
I am not dying for shooting Brett, but for mentioning
Colonel Kelly’s and Deasey’s names in
the court. I am dying a patriot for my God and
my country, and Larkin will be remembered in time
to come by the sons and daughters of Erin.

Farewell, dear Ireland, for I must leave you, and
die a martyr for your sake. Farewell, dear mother,
wife, and children, for I must leave you all for poor
Ireland’s sake. Farewell, uncles, aunts,
and cousins, likewise sons and daughters of Erin.
I hope in heaven we will meet another day. God
be with you. Father in heaven, forgive those that
have sworn my life away. I forgive them and the
world. God bless Ireland!

MICHAEL LARKIN.

DECLARATION OF MICHAEL O’BRIEN.

I have only to make these few remarks. I did
not use a revolver or any other firearm, or throw
stones, on the day that Colonel Kelly and Captain
Deasey were so gallantly rescued. I was not present
too, when the van was attacked. I say this not
by way of reproach, or to give annoyance to any person;
but I say it in the hope that witnesses may be more
particular when identifying, and that juries may look
more closely to the character of witnesses, and to
their evidence, before they convict a person to send
him before his God. I trust that those who swore
to seeing me with a revolver, or throwing stones,
were nothing more than mistaken. I forgive them
from my heart, and likewise, I forgive all who have
ever done me or intended to do me any injury.
I know I have been guilty of many sins against my God;
in satisfaction for those sins I have tried to do
what little penance I could, and having received the
sacraments of the Church, I have humbly begged that
He would accept my sufferings and death, to be united
to the sufferings and death of His innocent Son, through
whom my sufferings can be rendered acceptable.

My Redeemer died a more shameful death, as far as
man could make it, that I might receive pardon from
Him and enjoy His glory in Heaven. God grant
it may be so. I earnestly beg my countrymen in
America to heal their differences, to unite in God’s
name for the sake of Ireland and liberty. I cannot
see any reason, even the slightest, why John Savage
should not have the entire confidence of all his countrymen.
With reference to Colonel Kelly, I believe him to be
a good, honorable man, unselfish, and entirely devoted
to the cause of Irish freedom.